Key Scottish Environment Statistics 2013

Status of UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) Habitats in Scotland: 2008

Status of UK BAP Habitats⁵
(based on 39 UK BAP priority habitats in Scotland)

Biodiversity refers to the variety of life. The conservation and enhancement of our rich and varied natural heritage of plants and animals, habitats and ecosystems, is essential to the quality of our lives and for a sustainable future.

In 1992, the UN Convention on Biological Diversity recognised the need to protect biodiversity. The UK was one of the 150 countries to sign up to the convention, and in 1994 the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (UK BAP)⁶ was launched. The plan aims to conserve and enhance the populations of species and habitats which are considered threatened within the UK.

Between 1995 and 1999, action plans were developed for 45 habitats in the UK⁷, of which 39 occur in Scotland. As at 2008, of these 39, 15% of the habitats were increasing, 29% were considered stable and 33% were in decline.⁸ For the remainder, 21% had an unknown trend and for 1 habitat the trend was unclear.

The Scottish Biodiversity Strategy, first published in 2004, sets out how Scotland plans to protect biodiversity in Scotland. Following the agreement of new targets under the UN's Convention on Biological Diversity in 2010⁹ and the recent publication of a new European Biodiversity Strategy¹⁰ the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy has been refreshed¹¹. Following the publication of the refreshed strategy in 2013 a Scottish Biodiversity List has been produced and will be reported on in future bulletins¹².

Source: Biodiversity Action Reporting System (BARS) / Metadata